Primary voter registration ends August 6

WORLAND – Absentee voting is underway in Washakie County and the deadline for registering to vote in the Aug. 21 primary election is approaching.

Washakie County Clerk Mary Grace Strauch reports that there are currently 3,927 registered voters in the county. So far, 115 absentee ballots have been sent out and 42 have been returned.

Strauch also reminds voters that registration is best done at the office of the clerk or city, as there is no verified way to register or vote online, despite many online organizations that offer the services.

Voters may also register the day of the election, at their polling place.

ON THE BALLOT

AUGUST 21

Only two candidates filed for Worland City offices, with Gary Gerber and Christy Schneider filing to hold their council seats, while the county had nine filings, all from incumbents. Also up is Ward 1 four-year seat held by Lisa Fernandez; and two four-year seats in Ward 3, held my Michele Rideout and Loresa Brinkerhoff.

County Clerk Mary Grace Strauch, County Attorney John Worrall, Sheriff Steve Rakness, Clerk of Court Suzann Whitlock, Commissioners Fred Frandson and Terry Wolf, Treasurer Doris Kern, Assessor Kathy Treanor and Coroner Jeff Lapp all re-filed to hold their current offices.

Christapher Godfrey filed for county commission.

For national offices, John Holtz, R-Laramie, Anthony L. Van Rissegham, R-Cheyenne, Charlie Hardy, R-Cheyenne, John Barrasso, R-Casper, Rocky DeLa Fuente, R- San Diego, California, and Gary Trauner, D-Cheyenne, have filed for U.S. Senate. Rod Miller, R-Cheyenne, and Blake E. Stanley, R-Cheyenne, and Travis Helm, D-Laramie, have filed to challenge current Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wilson for the U.S. House seat. Cheney has filed to seek re-election to her second term in the House of Representatives.

At the state level, filing for governor are Republicans Bill Dahlin of Sheridan, Foster Friess of Jackson, Harriet Hageman of Cheyenne, Mark Gordon of Buffalo, Same Galeotos of Cheyenne and Taylor Haynes of Laramie. Democrats include Kenneth R. Casner of Elk Mountain, Mary Throne of Cheyenne and Rex Wilde of Cheyenne.

There are two filing for secretary of state, Democrat James W. Byrd and Republican Edward Buchanan; three candidates for state auditor, Republicans Kristi Racines of Cheyenne and Nathan Winters of Thermopolis, and Democrat Jeff Dockter of Cheyenne.

Republicans Curt Meier and Leland Christensen are running for state treasurer.

Jillian Balow, Republican, has filed for re-election as state superintendent of public instruction.

Area legislators filing are John R. Winter of Thermopolis and Tim Morrison of Meeteetse, both Republicans for House District 28. Democrat Howie Samelson of Thermopolis has filed for his party’s nomination. Current HD28 representative, Nathan Winters is seeking the state auditor position and not seeking re-election to HD28.

Mike Greear, Republican, of Worland is the lone candidate for HD27.

HOT SPRINGS COUNTY

Running for the office of Hot Springs County Sheriff are Jerimie Kraushaar, Tom Christensen, Daniel Pebbles, Pat Cornwell and Michael Nelson.

Other Republican candidates filing for Hot Springs County positions are Daniel Webber (incumbent) for county assessor, Republican; Nina Webber (incumbent), Joe Martinez and Rosemary Deseyn for county clerk; Terri Cornella (incumbent) for clerk of district court; Tom Ryan (incumbent), Steve Shay, Jack Baird and Michael Liesch for county commissioner; Mark Mortimore for county coroner; Julie Mortimore for county treasurer. Democrat Sonja Becker has filed for a commissioner seat. Carl Leyba had originally filed but withdrew his candidacy.

Ronald P. Jurovich has filed for magistrate of circuit court.

County attorney Jerry Williams filed for reelection; or for the second county commission seat, held by John Lumley.

For the town of Thermopolis, Incumbent Mike Mortimore, Forrest Weiss, Mike Chiminti and Bradyn Harvey have filed for mayor. For two open council seats, incumbents Tony Larson and John Dorman are challenged by John Fish and Josh Brown.

BIG HORN COUNTY

In Big Horn County, all incumbents have filed for re-election, seeking the Republican nominations. There is challenger for clerk of district court. Current clerk, Serena K. Lipp, is being challenged for the party nomination by Lisa Delucchi.

Others filing are Marcia E. Bean for county attorney, the position she was recently appointed to; Kenneth G. Blackburn for sheriff; Lori Smallwood for clerk; Becky Lindsey for treasurer; Gina Anderson for assessor; Felix Carrizales (incumbent), Tim Patrick, Nash Jolley, Dalton Banks, Dave Neves, Fred Willert, Lisa Kimsey, Keith Grant, Nick Lewis, Clayton Draggoo, Linda Harp and Joe Wildman for county commissioner; and Del Atwood for coroner.

For the town of Basin with the mayor four-year term up, currently held by Dennis Peters, challengers include C.J. Duncan and Charles Hopkin. There are two council seats open, currently held by Brent Godfrey and Roger Stickney. Only Godfrey and Viola Taylor filed for those positions.